Expand/Collapse Widget Demo

Example 1: Basic Widget

What is an Expand/Collapse Widget?

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An expand/collapse widget is a user interface component that allows users to show or hide content on demand. This helps keep interfaces clean and organized while still providing access to detailed information when needed.

Key Benefits:

  • Reduces visual clutter on the page
  • Improves content organization and hierarchy
  • Enhances user experience by putting users in control
  • Saves screen space, especially on mobile devices
Example 2: FAQ Section

How do I use this widget?

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Using the expand/collapse widget is simple! Just click on the header section to toggle the visibility of the content below.

Step-by-step:

  • Click the colored header bar to expand the content
  • The arrow icon will rotate to indicate the current state
  • Click again to collapse and hide the content
  • Each widget operates independently of the others

The widget uses smooth animations to enhance the user experience and make the interaction feel natural and responsive.

Example 3: Technical Details

What technologies power this widget?

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This expand/collapse widget is built using standard web technologies:

  • HTML: Provides the semantic structure with div elements and proper class names
  • CSS: Handles all styling, animations, and transitions for smooth interactions
  • JavaScript: Manages the expand/collapse functionality by toggling classes

The implementation uses CSS transitions for the max-height property to create a smooth expanding/collapsing animation. The details class is applied to the container holding the content to be shown or hidden.

No external libraries or frameworks are required - this is pure vanilla HTML, CSS, and JavaScript!

Example 4: Use Cases

Where can I use this pattern?

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Expand/collapse widgets are versatile and can be used in many contexts:

  • FAQ Pages: Show questions upfront, reveal answers on demand
  • Product Descriptions: Hide detailed specs until users want them
  • Navigation Menus: Create collapsible sidebar or mobile menus
  • Form Sections: Break long forms into manageable sections
  • Documentation: Organize API references and code examples
  • Settings Panels: Group related options in expandable categories

The pattern works particularly well on mobile devices where screen space is limited and progressive disclosure helps maintain a clean interface.

Example 5: Accessibility Considerations

Is this widget accessible?

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Accessibility is important for all web components. Here are some considerations for making expand/collapse widgets more accessible:

  • Add ARIA attributes like aria-expanded to indicate state
  • Ensure keyboard navigation works (Enter/Space to toggle)
  • Use semantic HTML elements when appropriate
  • Provide clear visual indicators of interactive elements
  • Ensure sufficient color contrast for text
  • Consider using the native <details> element for simpler cases

A production version should include these accessibility enhancements to ensure all users can interact with the widget effectively.